When a dog jumped on to my babies face!

Earlier today whilst at a local country park a dog jumped up into Ava’s pushchair on to her face and I had to pull it off before its owner caught up with it, who then not only didn’t check to see if she was ok, walked off without even a sorry!

Fuming is a understatement to how I feel about it. Luckily Ava is ok, shook up, mud and a little scratch on her face but it could have been much worse. 

Obviously and I’m pretty sure every parent would feel the same, this is totally unacceptable. We were doing a Halloween trail, there were lots of children around and the dog, who I think was a puppy, was totally out of control.

As the man walked off with the dog he clearly had no idea what to do with it as it jumped up at two further children on its way past them. Now I know there are a lot of responsible dog owners out there but this clearly wasn’t one of them. 

I have no idea what the solution is. As a dog owner would you keep your dog on a lead in a busy area with lots of children?

Should there be designated areas where dogs can be off a lead?

I’m annoyed with myself which I know I shouldn’t be as I would usually have her in the sling and then it wouldn’t have happened. BUT I should have every right to be able to push her around a country park without being in fear of a dog jumping on her face. 

Equally, responsible dog owners should be able to walk around the country park too. 

Judging by the reactions of the concerned families around us who very kindly came to check she and I were ok it was just as shocking to witness as I felt it was. It’s a horrible slow motion feeling when something like that happens and you think someone you love is in danger.

My shaking legs after was I’m sure a mix of anger, fear and adrenaline and my poor baby girl clung to me not letting me put her down for the rest of the walk back to the car, burying her head into me letting out the odd little sad sob.

I can only hope that the man learns to control his dog so that next time it isn’t more serious!

 

I’ve since looked up the Law and discovered this from the Gov.UK website;

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

injures someone

makes someone worried that it might injure them

 

 

 

 

28 responses to “When a dog jumped on to my babies face!”

  1. steph says:

    Oh my godness, thats terrible. you have ever right to be pissed off and worried. I’ve never used a baby carrier or sling for Emily, she uses her pushchair a lot of the time, you have every right to do that without worrying about dogs. I would have thought the owner would have made sure his dog was on a lead at a event with lots of children. Can’t believe he didn’t apoligise. Glad Ava is ok, sending lots of love! x

  2. That is so horrible. I am glad she is okay. It is a really tough one with dogs because as you say most are fine. We met a very large dog when my son was a toddler and because my son stepped back and the dog stepped forward at the same time my son fell over and had this dog coming down over him, just with curiosity really. It took a long time after that for him to relax after that around dogs. As my boys got older I taught them how to behave around dogs so they would get the least reaction. I am amazed you didn’t get a sorry. #picknmix

  3. Megan says:

    Argh, one of my worst fears. We were at the park yesterday and a lady walked past us and tutted because she saw us and had to put her dog on the lead – why are dogs allowed to roam around the park and not toddlers?!

    Having said that I do love dogs. I just wish every dog had responsible owners. Glad your baby is okay, you must have been shaken up. #PicknMix

  4. Suz says:

    I’m glad she was OK but that is scary. My neighbours dog always jumps up and, even though it’s the tiniest Jack Russell, it is still on face level with the grandchildren when they’re in their buggy. My grandson is very scared of dogs and I think that’s part of the reason.
    #PicknMix

  5. This is a problem that has been bothering me for a long time – dog owners. Incidents like yours, which are even more awfull if kids are involved..You are right – dogs should be on a lead, no matter how small, big, trained, friendly they are.
    #picknmix

  6. Claire says:

    Jeez! You were a damn sight more controlled than I would have been. I love animals and have grown up with dogs and cats, but if that had happened to me I cannot honestly say I wouldn’t have thrown that dog as hard as I could while pulling it off the baby. That is how phobias are created and that owner was disgustingly unconcerned and should not be allowed a dog if he allows it to behave in such a way. A rambunctious puppy needs to be kept on a leash in such situations until it learns to behave, it’s called training! I hope she doesn’t become afraid of dogs now 🙁 xx #picnmix

  7. Oh god how awful! Definitely not your fault, but I would feel terrible myself, even though you couldn’t have stopped it. And how rude of the man to just walk off – even if you were embarrassed by what happened, you would at least expect an apology and for him to put the dog back on the lead. My sister has dogs and I know she would never let them off the lead in a busy park and always takes them to a secluded field to have a run around – not that the dogs would hurt anyone, but you never know what would happen when they become excited. Hope Ava (and you!) are ok #PicknMix

  8. You are better than I because I would have turned into a screaming swearing mess.

    #pickandmix

  9. Oh my goodness how horrible for you and Ava. This is shocking to read and I can’t believe how irresponsible the owner was. In my opinion all dogs should be on a lead when they are in busy locations, they can get spooked easily which can lead to behaviour that can result in others being injured. I’m pleased that Ava is ok and I hope this won’t scar for life over dogs. Sending hugs to you, that is a tough one to watch. x

  10. Oh god how horrible! People like that give pet owners a bad name! Glad Ava wasn’t hurt though.
    #picknmix

  11. Rachel says:

    Oh my goodness, how horrible for you. I’ve always been a little bit scared of dogs, it goes back to when a big dog jumped up at a 5 year old me and knocked me over. Owner told me he was only playing with me but it didn’t feel very playful. Poor Ava. Glad she’s ok. #PickNMix xx

  12. Rhian Harris says:

    That’s totally out of order. We just got a puppy and although he is tiny (Pomeranian breed so not much bigger than a fluffy cat!), I don’t let him off the lead at all – especially in public places, and particularly around children. It’s for his safety as much as the kids. You just never know. I’d report the incident, personally. #PickNMix

  13. Dogs should be on a leash unless they are trained obnoxiously well, obviously the dog you encountered wasn’t and I would be livid as well. What if the dogs nail had caught your baby’s eye? I’m mad for you! #PickNMix

  14. Jemma says:

    Oh dear I’m glad everything was OK, that sounds so frightening. A dog jumped up at my daughter in the park and she’s absolutely terrified of dogs now!
    #picknmix

  15. Becky says:

    What a horrible experience! Although I would have acted exactly as you did then later regretted not giving him a piece of my mind. In my opinion if a dog isn’t well trained then it should NOT be off the lead!

    Hope you and Ava are feeling much better now xx #PickNMix

  16. Helena says:

    Oh it makes me feel sooooo cross. It could have jumped up at you if she was in the sling too! #PicknMix

  17. My old dog was very well trained and often off the lead, but I would never have even left her off the lead somewhere with lots of children. It’s just common sense. I’m glad she was okay and hopefully won’t hold it against all dogs.

    Stevie xx

  18. Oh no – that must have given you a fright, as well as Ava. Glad she is okay.

  19. Oh no, that must have been terrifying for you. I’m a dog owner myself and often let them off lead but only in areas where it’s not too busy. If we are approaching a group of people I will make them heal (treats help keep their attention) but if they show any signs of not giving me their full attention I will put them straight back on the lead. Similarly if those people happen to be elderly or young children I put them on the lead anyway just in case. My dogs are both big softies but they are staffies and I know this makes some people nervous, they are also over friendly and sometimes jump up which is why if there is ever any doubt they will be on a lead. In a busy park full of people there are far too many exciting distractions for a dog, especially a puppy, and all but the most perfectly trained should be kept on leads. The fact this man didn’t even stay to check she was ok or even apologise is abhorrent. I hope she isn’t left with a fear of dogs x
    #Picknmix

  20. Abi says:

    I grew up with dogs and the first thing we did was train them so we could be in control of them at all times. Our last dog was a little loopy so we kept her on a lead in busy areas.

    I’m so sorry you had to go through that – it’s totally the owner’s fault and not the dog’s. It’s experiences like this that give dogs a bad name #PicknMix

  21. Goodness, you did so well not to retaliate. What an absolutely horrible man. It’s the usual case of the thoughtlessness of a few, ruins it for everyone. So far I’ve found owners have been very considerate with their dogs around my son, but I know this won’t always be the case. We all have the right to be in public spaces, so we all need to be considerate of each other. Equally I’ve seen parents let their children run wild, with no care as to who they disturb. #PicknMix

  22. I am so sorry, but glad everything is okay! It’s such a difficult one – one incident shouldn’t punish all dogs but at the same time, you should be able to live without worry that a dog is going to jump on your child! I just don’t know what the answer is. #PickNMix

  23. Oh my days, I would have been furious and very shakey… A year or so ago, I was in a play area that was actually fenced off and some idiot brought their dog in there. At the time, our daughter was extremely nervous of dogs. We were with a friend and their daughter, so I approached them and pointed out the obvious (no dogs in a play area) to which I got a mouthful of abuse. Seriously, what planet are these people on? So glad Ava and you were okay in the main. Thanks for hosting #picknmix

  24. RachelSwirl says:

    That dog SHOULD have been on a lead, how irresponsible! So glad Ava is alright!!!

  25. This is awful and as a fellow dog owner I feel ashamed that someone would just let their dog loose without it being properly trained. Baring in mind though I have a tiny teacup Yorkie so wouldn’t be able to jump above a child’s knees but he is always kept on the lead regardless! I am glad to hear that Ava is ok though, what an irresponsible person! It’s people like that that make all dog owners look like idiots! #picknmix

  26. Oh gosh how scary, and no wonder you were so angry! I have a dog and I would NEVER let him off the lead unless I was certain that he wouldn’t do that, especially to a child. So glad that Ava is okay, I hope you are too! #picknmix

  27. Crummy mummy says:

    This really winds me up as byelaws are there for a reason and I bet it should have been on a lead. People think the rules don’t apply to them! #picknmix

  28. OddHogg says:

    I’m fuming! I have a dog, I never….. EVER…. have him off the lead in areas with lots of children. He is a gentle soul and wants to play, but he has a tendency to jump up (he’s 4 years old and we’re STILL seeking help with that) so I don’t let him be in a situation where he could actually do that.
    Aside from the jumping, just running around can cause fear in a lot of kids (and adults) who aren’t used to dogs.
    When in busier places we have him on the lead – or just don’t take him at all! I don’t know about you, but there are plenty woods and parks around where I live that are used almost exclusively by dog owners so I go there to have him really let off steam. SImilarly, there are only certain areas of the beach where your dog can be off the lead, making it more enjoyable for everyone.
    I’m ranting now…… I’ll stop!

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